Irrigating a Biliary, Nephrostomy

or Abscess Drainage Tube

The tube you have in your side may need to

7. Recap the needle on the syringe and set

be irrigated to keep it open so that it will

the syringe aside.

drain. Irrigate the tube once a day or as

8. Open a package of gauze, being careful

ordered by your doctor.

not to touch the gauze.

9. Being careful not to touch the ends of the

Equipment You Will Need:

tube, disconnect the connecting tube

Alcohol swabs

from the catheter.

10 cc syringe

10. Wrap the end of the connecting tube in

10-20 cc sterile saline or 10cc pre-filled

the gauze.

saline syringes

11. Remove the needle from the syringe of

19 gauge needle if not using pre-filled

sterile saline. Insert the syringe into the

syringes

end of the catheter.

Gauze pads

12. Inject the saline into the tube in a steady

motion.

Follow these steps:

13. Remove the syringe from the catheter.

1. Wash your work surface with soap and

water.
14. Clean the end of the connecting tube

with an alcohol swab and reconnect the

2. Wash your hands well with soap and

tube to the catheter. Fluid should drain

warm water. (If you have pre-filled

through the tube into the collecting bag.

syringes, go on to step #8.)

3. Remove the cap from the sterile saline.

Call Interventional Radiology if:

Wipe the top of the bag with an alcohol

There is no drainage from the tube for 12

swab.

hours.

4. Attach the needle to the 10cc syringe.

Pull the plunger back to the 10cc mark.

Drainage is showing around the tube.

5. Insert the needle into the bag of sterile

You cannot push in the saline or you

saline. Inject air into the bag.

meet resistance when irrigating the tube

(first check that the catheter is in the on

6. Tilt the bag upside down and pull back

position).

the syringe plunger.

You have any questions about the tube or

- Saline will flow into the syringe.

about irrigating the tube.

- Fill the syringe to the 10cc mark.

- Tap it lightly with your fingers to

Monday Friday until 4 pm, call:

push any air to the top.

Mount Carmel East 614-234-6518

- Push any air from the syringe back

into the bag. Repeat the process until

Mount Camel St. Anns 614-898-4411

it is at the 10cc mark.

Mount Carmel West 614-234-5374

After 4 p.m. and on weekends, call

the Radiology Department and ask

to speak to the technologist on call.

Mount Carmel East 614-234-6770

Mount Camel St. Anns 614-898-4020

Mount Carmel West 614-234-5100

Dev. 7/04, Rev.1/05, 11/08, 3/11, 4/11, 5/14

Mount Carmel 2014